Meet the New Faces of the Utah Symphony

What first sparked your connection with your instrument? 

I fell in love with the way the violin was able to sing through its melodies and convey so many emotions. I loved how it could be virtuosic, romantic, sweet, and maybe a bit flirty, and how it had so many characters that it could play! Like many musicians, I started on piano when I was four, but it was always such a battle to get me to practice. But with violin, it was almost like magic in the way that I could practice for hours, and struggling with new things was even more of a motivator for me to keep working at the violin. 

I’m also a bit vertically challenged, being 5’1¾”, so it was one of the only instruments I could physically play, haha! My dad is also a big reason. Ever since I was little, he shared his passion and love of the violin, even though he’s not a musician. He was the first person to share old-school recordings of the great violinists with me and, throughout my whole career, has played a huge role in my investment in my instrument. So, thank you, Dad! 

What first sparked your connection with your instrument? 

I started playing the violin when I was 5. Unlike my sister, I didn’t start with the piano. I first learned about the violin after seeing a family friend play and thinking, “Wow, this is so cool.” A few weeks later, I asked my parents if I could try it. I’ve pretty much-loved playing the violin ever since and never really thought about doing anything else. 

What drew you to the Utah Symphony? 

I’ve auditioned for a few orchestras over the past couple of years, and Utah was definitely one of the places where I thought, “It’s just such a beautiful place.” I’m obsessed with the mountain views, and I knew I would love to live in Salt Lake City. Of course, I’d also heard so many great things about the Utah Symphony, so I’m super excited to be a part of it! 

What are you most looking forward to in your first season with the Utah Symphony? 

This is my first official orchestral job, so I’m really looking forward to playing alongside my amazing colleagues and experiencing all of the fantastic programs we have this season. I’m excited to make music with such wonderful people in such a beautiful city. 

When you’re not onstage, what can we usually find you doing? 

You’d most likely find me at home making matcha! I’m a bit addicted to it. Or you might find me wandering around Trader Joe’s or another grocery store because I love grocery shopping!

 What first sparked your connection with your instrument? 

I started drum lessons in fourth grade, and I remember a timpani being in the corner of the room where we took music lessons. I bugged my teacher from day one to play them. He told me I had to wait two years (until I was in sixth grade), which felt like an eternity! Once I got behind them, though, there was no going back. 

The first time I got to play timpani with an orchestra was Saint-Saëns’ “Bacchanale” from Samson and Delilah and Dvořák’s New World Symphony (which we are actually doing for this year’s education concerts). The variety of roles the timpani play in the orchestra—from whisper-soft to fantastically loud, supporting and shaping the texture, or popping out in a dramatic moment—it had me hooked. 

What drew you to the Utah Symphony? 

I’ve played with the orchestra in the past for a number of tours and recordings and always came away impressed by their musical commitment and personal kindness toward each other. It’s quite something. 

Abravanel Hall was a real draw also. It’s one of the finest-sounding concert halls in the country and is an immeasurable asset to the orchestra and community. I’m also excited about the orchestra’s artistic life under Maestro Poschner. It feels like an already outstanding situation that’s only going to get better. I’m grateful to be a part of this next chapter. 

What are you most looking forward to in your first season with the Utah Symphony? 

EVERYTHING! I came here to play great music, and there is no shortage of that this season. A few highlights: Ravel’s complete Daphnis et Chloé, Brahms’ Requiem, Sibelius’ Violin Concerto and Symphony No. 5, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, Strauss’ An Alpine Symphony, Mozart’s Don Giovanni…the list goes on. 

What first sparked your connection with your instrument? 

I’m the youngest of seven kids, and we all play either violin or cello, alternating the family line—so I didn’t exactly get to choose the violin. Rather than falling in love with it first and then deciding to play, I simply grew up knowing it was something I would do. 

It wasn’t until later, while preparing Sarasate’s Introduction and Tarantella for the Stradivarius International Violin Competition, that I really fell in love with the instrument. My teacher, Deborah Moench, helped me explore the different colors, sounds, slides, and moods in the music, and I began to realize how much I could communicate through the violin. That was when I started to understand how beautiful the instrument really is. 

What drew you to the Utah Symphony? 

I grew up in Utah, and three of my older siblings studied with former concertmaster Ralph Matson before I studied with him too, so I grew up going to the Utah Symphony my whole life. I always loved getting to hear such beautiful music in Abravanel Hall. 

I also competed in the Symphony’s Salute to Youth competition several times, and getting to perform as a soloist with the orchestra was such a dream come true. Because of that, the idea of someday being one of the musicians in the orchestra was an exciting possibility. 

So, getting the chance to come back to my home state, join this incredible orchestra, and be close to friends and family is something I honestly never expected to happen so quickly. I’m just really grateful that it did. 

What are you most looking forward to in your first season with the Utah Symphony? 

Being able to play such incredible repertoire with wonderful colleagues.